IMPORTANT DAYS

Parakram Diwas 2026: Birth Anniversary of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose

• 23 January 2026 marks the 129th birth anniversary of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose.

• The day is observed nationwide as Parakram Diwas, celebrating courage and patriotism.

• Ministry of Culture is organising Parakram Diwas–2026 events starting 23 January.

• The main celebrations are being held in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, with programmes across 13 other Netaji-linked locations.

• Events include cultural performances, exhibitions, and a special play by the National School of Drama.

• The commemorations will continue till 25 January 2026.

• January 23 was officially declared Parakram Diwas in 2021 by the Government of India.

• Netaji was born in Cuttack (1897) and later proclaimed the Provisional Government of Azad Hind in 1943.

APPOINTMENT

Amelia Valverde Appointed Head Coach of Indian Women’s Football Team

• The All-India Football Federation (AIFF) has appointed Amelia Valverde as the head coach of the senior Indian women’s football team.

• Valverde hails from Costa Rica and brings international coaching experience to the role.

• She has already taken charge and joined the team’s training camp in Antalya, Türkiye.

• The appointment comes as India prepares for the AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2026.

• The continental tournament will be held in Australia in March 2026.

• Valverde will focus on strengthening tactics, performance, and team structure.

• She will work in coordination with the existing Indian coaching setup.

• The current support staff includes Crispin Chettri, Priya PV, and Mario Aguiar.

NATIONAL NEWS

President Murmu Inaugurates Granth Kutir at Rashtrapati Bhavan

• Granth Kutir was inaugurated on 23 January 2026 by President Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan.

• It houses around 50 rare manuscripts and nearly 2,300 books written in 11 Indian classical languages.

• The collection spans epics, philosophy, linguistics, science, governance, history, devotional texts, and the Constitution of India in classical languages.

• The initiative aims to familiarise citizens with India’s deep literary and cultural traditions.

• It forms part of Rashtrapati Bhavan’s broader effort to preserve and promote classical Indian languages.

• The President highlighted that classical languages laid the foundation for modern Indian languages and urged youth to learn at least one.

• Granth Kutir supports the vision of the Gyan Bharatam Mission, focused on conserving and digitising manuscript heritage.

• The project has been developed through collaboration with governments, universities, research bodies, cultural institutions and individual contributors across India.

RANKING AND INDEX

Abu Dhabi Tops Numbeo Global Safety Index 2026

• Abu Dhabi has been ranked the world’s safest city for 2026 in the Numbeo Global Safety Index.

• This achievement marks its 10th straight year at the top, maintaining the lead since 2017.

• The 2026 index assessed nearly 400 cities across more than 150 countries.

• Abu Dhabi recorded the highest overall safety score among all surveyed cities.

• It ranked first for public safety indicators, including the ability to walk alone safely both during the day and at night.

• The ranking highlights the city’s strong urban security and high quality of life standards.

• Use of advanced technologies, proactive policing, and coordinated law enforcement plays a key role in maintaining safety.

• Community participation and engagement initiatives, along with effective governance, further reinforce Abu Dhabi’s secure environment.

AWARDS

Taylor Swift Inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame

• Taylor Swift has been selected for induction into the prestigious Songwriters Hall of Fame.

• She becomes the second youngest songwriter to receive this honour; Stevie Wonder still holds the record as the youngest inductee.

• The induction ceremony will take place in June in New York City.

• She will be inducted alongside Alanis Morissette, Kenny Loggins, and KISS members Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons.

• Founded in 1969, the Songwriters Hall of Fame considers artists eligible 20 years after their first commercial release.

• Swift is a 14-time Grammy Award winner and is celebrated for her autobiographical and evolving songwriting style.

• Her Eras Tour set global records, while her recent albums reshaped modern-era music sales.

• She is currently the highest-grossing live music artist, the wealthiest female musician, and recently released “The Life of a Showgirl.”

STATE NEWS

Lucknow Becomes Uttar Pradesh’s First Zero Fresh Waste Dump City

• Lucknow has achieved the status of UP’s first Zero Fresh Waste Dump city under Swachh Bharat Mission–Urban.

• The milestone follows the operationalisation of the Shivari Solid Waste Management Plant.

• The city now ensures 100% scientific treatment of municipal solid waste.

• The Shivari facility adds 700 tonnes per day capacity, strengthening waste processing infrastructure.

• With three functional plants, Lucknow processes over 2,100 tonnes of waste daily.

• Waste is systematically segregated for composting, biogas, recycling and RDF generation.

• Nearly 12.86 lakh tonnes of legacy waste have been cleared, reclaiming over 25 acres of land.

• The model follows circular economy principles and is emerging as a benchmark for urban waste management.

MISCELLANEOUS

Kumbhalgarh Wildlife Sanctuary Notified as Eco-Sensitive Zone

• The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) has notified Kumbhalgarh Wildlife Sanctuary as an Eco-Sensitive Zone (ESZ).

• The sanctuary is situated in the Aravalli hills of Rajsamand district, Rajasthan.

• The notification focuses on protecting biodiversity and preserving fragile ecological systems.

• Local and indigenous communities around the sanctuary will receive support for sustainable living.

• A buffer area of 0 to 1 km around the sanctuary boundary has been brought under the ESZ.

• The region provides habitat to wildlife such as leopard, striped hyena, Indian pangolin and chinkara.

• It also supports rich avian diversity, including birds like the painted francolin.

• Eco-friendly livelihoods such as organic farming, agroforestry and skill development will be promoted.